Sectional knockdown flue



V. T. GRABS SECTONAL KNOGKDOWN FLUE July 27 Filed Deo. '7, 1925 anota?? Patented duly 27,

VIRGLL T. GRABS, OF KING, NORTHCAROLNA.

SEGTIONAL KNOCKDOWN IUE.

Application led December This invention relates to sectional kneel:- down iiues.

The `object is to provide a due oi strong and light construction, especially adapted for conducting heat and distributing the saine in tobacco barns for the purpose oi' n curing tobacco, the said iiue being constructed orn a continuous series ci sections iioirned of normally flat, rectangular pieces oi suitable sheet metal adapted to be bent into tnbular form at the place where used, said tubular sections being rigidly held together, in end to end relation by temporary fastening means, to form a substantially lealiproof flue of the desired length, and being adapted to be quickly and easily taken apart and packed into compacttorin to be readily loaded and transported `to anoth r scene oil action, with the metal sheets comprisingv the tubular sections in their normal, condition, so as tooccupy a minimum amount oit space in moving saine. v

Another object is to provide a sectional fine of this character wherein the sheets constituting the tubular sections are eiiectually prevented from expanding or collapsing, the free edges of the same, 'forming thel longi-Y t-udinal seams of the sections, being engaged by detachable longitudinal members that prevent such action, and also prevent the escape of the heat through such seams, while the abutting ends of the several sections are also rigidly clamped together by transverse members surrounding the joints, the latter members and the longitudinal members being in staggered relation to each other to provide a strong and rigid structure.

A full and complete understanding or the invention may be obtained from a consid eration of the 'following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, it being understood that while the drawing shows a practical 'forni of the invention, the latter is not to be coniined to strict conformity with the showing thereof, but may be changed or modied, so long` as such changes or modifications niark no material departure from the salient features oit the invention, as specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, in which similar reference characters designate corresponding throughout the several tiguresz- VFigure 1 is a side elevation portion '7, 1925. Serial No. 73,732.

ot a Hue constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse. sectional `view through the same.

Figure 3 is a detail longitudinal, al view.

TFigure tis a detail perspective view ot a portion ot one ci the longitudinal seam engaging strips.

Referring to the drawing there is shown a flue lcomposed or" tubular sections l oi sheet metal having a normal tendency to straighten out into substantially flat condition when released, each she-et being oiC rectangular form of the desired dimensions andadapted to be shipped or transported in such flat condition and arranged in piles so that the saine may occupy small space on a truck, car or wagon. The sheets are adapted to be bent into tubular form by hand, at the scene of operations, and the "free, longitudinal edges 2 thereof are arranged in overlapping relation to each other, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawing.

The tubes are placed with their ends 3 in abutting relation, whilebeing held in said cylindrical. form, and a strip l, having oppositely disposed seats 5 formed ltherein is engaged with the alined longitudinal edges 2 of the abutting tubes. Each strip is applied to two abutting` tubes, the said strips being of substantially the saine length as the tubes, and the center of the strip is located substantially at the joint between two adjacent sections, so that when adjoining sections are arranged in line, in abutting relation and the coacting strip oi' strips are applied, it will be seen that a continuous series sectionofstrips result, with their joints staggered with the joints of the tubes.

Coupling bands 6 completely encircle the flue line at the joints between the tubular sections, said bands being formed oi strips of suitable metal oi' a width to'entend partly along each abutting end, so as to eectually cover the joint and prevent escape oi the heat, and at the same time exert suit'icient clamping action, when tightened, to rigidly hold the several sections together as a conn tinuous flue.

ln order to exert such clamping action, the length of the clamping bands is such yas to completely encircle the tubes, with the ends adjacent to the aforesaid strips so as .to permit of a slight circumferential, blurb ing movement of the same, and at one end of the =bandithere is attached an upstanding ear 7 'having a. suitable aperture 8 for the reception of a threaded bolt 9 which has an integral foot. portion l0, adapted to be riveted or otherwise seeured to the other end of the band, the said foot beingl so Shaper as to space the bolt away from the band sutliciently to pass over the interposed strip l and traverse the ear T. The terminal of the. bolt is drawn through by a nut 1l thus cansingY the band to hunr the sections and bind the same together.

The aforesaid strips 4- are formed of sheet met-al of a Width to permit the mawijinal portion on one side to be bent overtov-ards the central body portion on one side ot' and in spaced relation to the latter, While the other side marginal portion is likewise turned back, at the other side of the body portion, as clearly shovvn in Figure lof the drawing, to form the seats as stated.

From the foregoingr it vvill bo seen that a simple, strong' and durable structure has been provided for conducting heat or the like. and that by arranging the strips and the bands in the manner described, the i'lue may be easily set up or taken down for storage or transportation, the flat sheets occupying va minimum amount of space and safeguarded from damage by dentingl or bending. Whereas the ria'id sectional tubes, Where they are not collapsible, are easily injured or rendered unfit for use and, by reason of their bulk, are not easily Carried in quantities.

lVhat is claimed is:-

l. A heat-conductingy pipe composed of tnbnlar sections formed of tiatsheets bent and temporarily held in tubular form, the side edges of said sheets overlapping each other and said sections being placed in end-to-end relation to each other `with their overlapped edges in alinement, circular bands surround-- inf; the sections and Overlapping their abutting' ends, the ends of the bands being spaced apart at the overlapped edges of the sections and provided vvith means for drawing the ends together, and bent sheet metal strips having opposite seats for engaging the overlapped edges of each section, said strips abutting' at their ends at points midway betn'een the joints of the several sections and the gaps between the ends of said `bands being Wider than said strips.

2. A tobacco-curing' flue fornied of simi4 lar, abutting, sheet metal sections, each con;- posed of a normally tlat sheet held temporarily in tubular form with the side edges overlapped, coupling bands surrounding the sections, the ends of the bands bein;Y located adjacent to the said overlapped edges, an outstanding, aperturcd ear carried b v one of said ends, a screv.' carried by the other enel to traverse the ear, a nntfor binding the band around the joint, a strip equal in length to each pipe section, said strip being formt-d of sheet metal and bent longitudinally to cause eatn marginal edge thereof to extend parallel on either side of and in spaced relation to the center portion of the strip .to provide opposed seats for the overlapped edges of the sections and to pass between the ends of the band, bridgingr the joint and abuttingV ivith the next adjacent strips at each end substantially at the centers of eaeli section.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my ovvn, I have hereto ailixed my signalure.

VTRGIL T. GRBS. 

